do not show more than you can
help. I wish the rest of the fleet to outrun us, as soon as possible."

The Pluto sheered off from the prize, and directed her course towards
the vessel nearest to her, which she captured as easily as she had done
the preceding. But this time, not only were her bulwarks stove in, but
the chain plates were carried away; and the mainmast, no longer
supported by its shrouds, fell over the side with a crash.

This vessel had but a hundred prisoners on board. They were wild with
astonishment and delight, when they found that their vessel had been
recaptured. Francis told them to keep by him through the night, as
possibly he might need their assistance.

For some hours the gale increased. The Pluto lay head to it, her mast
serving as a floating anchor. As soon as the lights of the Genoese
squadron disappeared in the distance, Francis hoisted a lantern on his
mainmast, as a signal to the other vessels to keep near him.

As soon as day broke, the galley they had last recaptured was seen,
half a mile away, while the two others could be made out some six miles
to leeward. The gale died out soon after daybreak, and Francis at once
set his crew to work to get the mast on board, and to ship it by its
stump.

It was a difficult undertaking, for the vessel was rolling heavily. It
was first got alongside, two ropes were passed over it, and it was
parbuckled on board. Shears were made of two spars, and the end was
placed against the stump, which projected six feet above the deck. By
the aid of the shears, it was hoisted erect and lashed to the stump,
wedges were driven in to tighten the lashings, and it was then firmly
stayed; and by the afternoon it was in readiness for sail to be hoisted
again.

By this time Parucchi, with the vessel he had captured, was alongside.
The Lion of Saint Mark was hoisted to the mainmast of the Pluto, and
three similar banners were run up by the other vessels, the crews
shouting and cheering with wild enthusiasm.

Chapter 17: An Ungrateful Republic.

"It is glorious, Francis," Matteo said, "to think that we should have
recaptured four of our ships!"

"It is very good, as far as it goes," Francis replied, "but it might
have been a great deal better. If it hadn't been for the storm, we
might have picked them all up one by one. Each vessel we took, the
stronger we became, and I had calculated upon our capturing the greater
number. But in such a sea, I don't think